More than 1,300 people surveyed by Philadelphia-based Health Union said they delayed seeking care and felt negative feelings after receiving an initial irritable bowel syndrome diagnosis.
The survey "IBS in America 2017" polled more than 1,300 individuals with IBS.
Here's what you should know.
1. Approximately 25 percent of respondents experienced IBS-like symptoms before turning 18-years-old.
2. Many respondents didn't seek a formal diagnosis until adulthood and several never sought a diagnosis. For those not seeking care, 44 percent of respondents said they didn't find medical treatment helpful, 23 percent cited financial or insurance reasons, 22 percent expressed content with self-management and 22 percent didn't find the right physician.
3. Approximately 43 percent attempted to treat their IBS with over-the-counter medicine, 29 percent didn't think their symptoms indicated a medical condition and 26 percent didn't believe the symptoms were serious enough to seek medical care.
4. Thirty-seven percent of respondents received the wrong diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease, depression, lactose intolerance, stress or anxiety when first getting diagnosed.
5. Forty percent of respondents were not satisfied with their health provider for IBS.
6. When respondents were first diagnosed with IBS, 62 percent were frustrated their symptoms may be unmanageable, 53 percent were upset there was no cure, 49 percent expressed relief to have a diagnosis and 37 percent felt their physician was dismissive over the diagnosis.